Hidden Valley neighbors seek help for sewer expenses

AMHERST TOWNSHIP -- Karen Stripe, a nurse at EMH Elyria Medical Center, is working overtime and it's not for the extra cash for herself, but to pay the more than $200 a month sewer and water bills she's been receiving from Lorain.

Amherst Township residents, as well as residents in some other communities who get services from the city, experienced a sewer rate increase in their July bill, that has them alarmed and angry.

Earlier this year, Lorain City Council voted to increase the rate for sewer customers outside Lorain who do not have a rate agreement with the city. The rate for the outside customers went from 150 percent of what Lorain residents pay to 200 percent of the city rate.

Commissioner Tom William is working to receive documents on a resolution based on a developers agreement between late Edward Gargasz, developer of Hidden Valley, and Lorain which Williams said should still be in effect. He is in the works of setting up a meeting with Safety Service Director Robert Fowler.

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Christine Winrod, who lives in the Hidden Valley neighborhood, said that residents are gathering signatures to the Lorain County Commissioners meeting Sept. 12, seeking their help. She has 200 signatures so far, she said.

Residents have been canvassing the neighborhood, asking neighbors to sign so they can be represented. Although Winrod said she has not been able to speak with everyone yet, they all have received information on what is going on.

"Residents called the township and the township trustees didn't know about the rate increase," Winrod said.

"We are asking commissioners (about the rate increase) because we don't have a voice or any type of voting power or any say on what's being done."

Winrod said Amherst Township Trustee Neil Lynch said they do not have any authority over what happens. So, Winrod said that is why they are going to the county commissioners.

"It started with the trustee meeting and it kind of snowballed from there," Winrod said.

Stripe, who also lives in the Hidden Valley neighborhood, said that the overtime is taking time away from her children, who are 12 and 17, and her husband. Her sewer and water bill for July was $257.

"I'll bring my bill with me so they can see," Stripe said.

Stripe said there should be some way to get water somewhere else, such as Amherst or Elyria. She said she moved to Amherst Township five or six years ago from Lorain and when she lived in the city, her sewer and water bill was $30.

She was angry when she saw that Lorain's residents are getting discounts for the period of June through August.

"That's just a slap in the face," she said.

Pat Young also lives in the Hidden Valley neighborhood and has lived there for 20 years and her husband has been looking for sympathy.

"This has been an ongoing issue for 20 years," Young said. "Now, we're getting older and have basically given up."

Young said she also will be at the commissioners meeting because her bills have been increasing. The sewer bill from June to July was $332.80, while her May to June was $256, She said she is retired and on a limited income.

"Paying a lot for our bill doesn't leave us much," she said. "All in all, we are very disgusted with the Lorain city water department; shame on them," Young said.

Young also added that she will be at the commissioners meeting as well.